Looks like Mr. Dreger was full of it....again.....
Quote:
Asked if he has tired of the Panthers' losing, he replied: "Yeah, but it's not that I'm unhappy. I want to be in the playoffs here, wearing this jersey. So whoever started these reports, it's false.
"I don't want to go anywhere, I want to be here. If I didn't believe this program would work I would never have signed that deal. I would've looked into other options last summer. You can't control when somebody says things like that. It's not true."
As will I. Anyone who's happy or OK with what's going, you have to question that. rightly so he's frustrated, but that doesn't mean he wants to go anywhere.
__________________ Gudbranson fanboy and defender for liiiiiife!
Jokinen has been pretty open about being frustrated, but his point is exactly what I made yesterday - he had options and chose to be the leader of the team as it rebuilds towards making the playoffs.
I love this quote from Jokinen in today's sun-sentinel: "Without naming names, Jokinen said many players are not giving enough effort on a consistent basis.
"We get paid big dollars and [it] is not too much to ask to pull your act together for two or three hours every day," Jokinen said."
If I didn't believe this program would work I would never have signed that deal.
Bingo, isn't that proof enough for anyone? He could have jumped ship last year, not knowing if Luongo would be resigned anyway. He chose to stay, to sign a four year contract and be the team's captain through thick and thin. That's why he's awesome.
And that other quote, FlaPanthers7, also awesome. Who says he isn't a good captain? The guy obviously won't name names but he's not happy about the effort on the ice.
To be fair he should be scoring more himself, but the team in general is doing some really lackluster and stupid stuff. Only handful of guys, mostly young ones like Olesz, Weiss, Bouwmeester, etc. (NOT including Horton) are really trying every single night.
Some heads will certainly roll by trade deadline day, that's for sure.
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Florida Panthers: 2011-2012 Southeast Division Champions
Also good news from the Herald's version of the article:
Quote:
The Panthers sent forward Anthony Stewart back to the minors Sunday, likely meaning injured winger Gary Roberts will return to the lineup Tuesday in Colorado.
I love this quote from Jokinen in today's sun-sentinel: "Without naming names, Jokinen said many players are not giving enough effort on a consistent basis.
"We get paid big dollars and [it] is not too much to ask to pull your act together for two or three hours every day," Jokinen said."
RK Player Pos Team GP G A P +/-
1 OLLI JOKINEN C FLA 54 22 31 53 0
2 JOZEF STUMPEL C FLA 53 15 26 41 -7
Agreed KW. He's a PPG guy producing a PPG. It would be nice if he could carry the team on his back, but he's not that kind of player. Even Crosby, Ovenchkin, Jagr, etc. can't do that though.
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FLORIDA PANTHERS 2011-12 SOUTHEAST DIVISION CHAMPIONS 2012-13 BASEMENT DWELLERS
Agreed KW. He's a PPG guy producing a PPG. It would be nice if he could carry the team on his back, but he's not that kind of player. Even Crosby, Ovenchkin, Jagr, etc. can't do that though.
Yeah people are only a little mad at Jokinen because he hasn't scored of late. Well that's not a very good excuse. He is a big offensive weapon but he can't do it alone. Obviously other teams are going to target him to keep him from scoring. Everyone has slumps but the guy is in line for another 80+ point season, cannot fault him for being inconsistent. He isn't a super sniper, but a very skilled center and I think a good leader.
His numbers are fairly close to Sakic this year in fact, so considering that I don't think there's much blame to put on him. Obviously he's the captain of this team and shoulders most of the blame when needed. But no matter how much you motivate your team, you can't control them on the ice when they don't try.
Think about this, the current top line is Gelinas-Jokinen-Horton (which should change with Roberts' return thank goodness). You've got Gelinas, tries hard but does have hands of stone. Occassionally gets just the right bounce moreso on powerplays with Weiss. And you've got Horton who isn't trying at all right, pathetic effort. How do you expect him to score almost on his own right now?
I would not be shocked to see him put up more points just by having Roberts return. As I've said, the offensive depth is not as good as we once thought, only 2 forwards are injured and yet Gelinas is playing on the top line. Not trying to knock the guy but he doesn't belong there. Horton should be demoted in lines at this point. Try something crazy like Roberts-Jokinen-Booth or Roberts-Jokinen-Gratton (goodness knows Gratton needs a serious boost). This until Bertuzzi comes back. Then you make the bruising line of Roberts-Jokinen-Bertuzzi and that had better create goals.
He is our captain surely acts like it. If he didnt want to be part of the up and coming of this team, he would not have signed the contract to stay with the Cats. I think we will resign Bertuzzi and i know we will be sellers at the deadline. Lets just hope what we get in return is good.
He is our captain surely acts like it. If he didnt want to be part of the up and coming of this team, he would not have signed the contract to stay with the Cats. I think we will resign Bertuzzi and i know we will be sellers at the deadline. Lets just hope what we get in return is good.
don't expect to get good players for guys like Stumpel, Gratton, Gelinas or even Roberts
the best we'll get is 3rd or 4th line player and/or 3rd round pick
don't expect to get good players for guys like Stumpel, Gratton, Gelinas or even Roberts
the best we'll get is 3rd or 4th line player and/or 3rd round pick
I don't think Stumpel and Gratton will be dealt. Martin is to set on the idea that "we are not in a rebuilding" phase. Besides, Gratton has another year left on his contract and most likely a non-trade clause. Stumpel has been a force on the powerplay and a great playmaker. I do not see any need to trade a player like that away.
He is our captain surely acts like it. If he didnt want to be part of the up and coming of this team, he would not have signed the contract to stay with the Cats. I think we will resign Bertuzzi and i know we will be sellers at the deadline. Lets just hope what we get in return is good.
Agreed KW. He's a PPG guy producing a PPG. It would be nice if he could carry the team on his back, but he's not that kind of player. Even Crosby, Ovenchkin, Jagr, etc. can't do that though.
again, i have no problem with olli's production. i don't expect him to carry the team on his back. i do, however, expect the team he captains to react a little better to adversity during the game, not to mention bring a consistent effort game in and game out. it's not all on his back but, as the captain, he has to get some of the blame. it's not enough to sit there in your locker after the game and blame others for not bringing it to the rink.
